Gudauskas Gang Named San Clemente’s ‘Citizens of the Year’

Here’s the most, “Uhhh, duh!” piece of news you’ll read this week. 

The Gudauskas family, including twin brothers Dane and Pat, younger rascal Tanner, and parents Tom and Nancy, have recently been named the ‘Citizens of the Year’ by the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce, in recognition of their altruistic feats both within and beyond Orange County, CA.

What selfless acts do the tow-headed brothers perform, beyond being generally stoked and feeding the young’ns waves at Lowers?

According to the OC Register, they:

…host fun, laid-back surf contests — ‘Stoke-O-Ramas’ — each year in conjunction with their sponsor Vans, in San Clemente, Huntington Beach and around the globe. Proceeds from the events go to ocean education and water safety programs.

Each event is open to 120 kids and typically raises about $10,000.

In San Clemente alone, the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation has raised about $60,000 for the Friends of San Clemente Beaches, Parks and Recreation and the San Clemente Lifeguard and Junior Guard Foundation, funds used for junior lifeguard scholarships, community ocean awareness events and lifesaving equipment.

In 2015 and 2017, the Gudauskas brothers collected more than 1,000 used surfboards and delivered them to underprivileged surfers in Jamaica and South Africa.

All of it true, and none of it a front for some secretly nefarious motives. The Gudangs are as genuine as it comes.

“The Gudauskas family truly represents what is best about San Clemente,” Greg Hulsizer, president of San Clemente Lifeguard and Junior Guard Foundation, said in a statement. “Together, they are unstoppable as they work to bring the stoke to the San Clemente community and around the world.” 

Through both competitive and freesurfing avenues, the Gudauskas brothers have brought their contagious stoke all across the globe, resulting in a legacy as the happiest peoples in surf. 

“I’m more inspired than ever,” Dane told the OC Register. “It’s been a team effort. When I look back at our family’s journey, it’s impossible to not say it’s not intertwined between everybody. I hope 20 years from now, people will read this award and say, ‘the G-family made it.’”